Friction and Texture Evaluation of Asphalt-Based Binders as Alternatives to Epoxy-Based High-Friction Surface Treatments

Abstract

High-friction surface treatment (HFST) is a safety-focused pavement treatment that restores and maintains pavement friction to reduce road accidents. Traditional epoxy-based HFSTs, while widely used, face challenges such as high costs, potential compatibility issues with the substrate pavement, and long-term durability under specific conditions. This study investigates asphalt-based alternative HFST, which is compatible with various pavement types and cost-effective and versatile solutions for a wider range of pavement applications. Performance and friction testing, including the British pendulum test, British wheel test, and dynamic friction test, were performed to examine the coefficient of friction (COF) before and after polishing with a three-wheel polishing device. A circular track meter was used to determine the mean profile depth (MPD). These tests were applied to evaluate the changes in friction and macrotexture associated with asphalt-based alternative HFST compared to epoxy-based treatment. The results indicated that among all samples, calcined bauxite consistently achieved the highest British pendulum number (BPN) values, both before and after polishing. When performance grade (PG) and modified binders were replaced with epoxy, the initial BPN values were comparable. However, after polishing, the PG and highly modified binders experienced a higher drop in BPN compared to the epoxy samples. The COF and MPD for different aggregate sizes revealed notable patterns, with large aggregates showing COF values that were equivalent to or in some case higher than those of epoxy. According to a factorial statistical analysis that included multivariate analysis of variance, analysis of variance, and Tukey’s honestly significant difference (HSD) tests, gradation (Wilks’λ = 0.396, F = 22.16, p < 0.001) and binder type (Wilks’λ = 0.592, F = 2.90, p = 0.015) had a significant impact on texture and friction, with significant interactions between aggregate × polishing cycle and gradation × binder. These findings highlight the importance of selecting the optimal binder–aggregate gradation in HFST design when using alternative binders. Asphalt-based alternatives, especially with highly polymer-modified binders, offer a cost-effective, substrate-compatible solution for areas where epoxy is unsuitable, enhancing safety and expanding treatment applicability.

Keywords

Asphalt-Based High Friction Surface Treatment (HFST)highly modified binder friction testing device (DFT)coefficient of friction (COF)friction and texture evaluation

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